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Published on February 19, 2001.

Jupiter: Advertisers should be wary, post-PC

Advertisers jumping into the hype of interactive TV, kiosks and wireless devices might want to think twice about their marketing initiatives, according to "Interactive Advertising on Post-PC Platforms," a report being released Feb. 20 from Jupiter Media Metrix. "Post-PC advertising is still in infancy," the report said, and advertisers must view the platforms as research and take a long-term approach to experimenting with them. Jupiter also said that these devices will become important, but will remain secondary to PCs in the U.S. market. The report also found that each non-PC platform is used by a "modal target," or a group of consumers united by similar attitudes and behavior.

K2 Digital is launching a desktop eCRM tool

K2 Digital today launches a new customer relationship management tool it is calling K2 HELP. The application, which sits on the desktop, is designed to unite what the company called, "a complete customer-facing help, demonstration, training, and activities tool." The product includes a Web browser and search service and is being distributed by CD-ROM, with content updates available via the Internet. K2, which is based in New York, is an Internet services company.

Beyond Interactive named agency of record for ePrize

Beyond Interactive, owned by Grey Global Group, has been named interactive agency of record for ePrize, a Farmington Hills, Mich., company that specializes in online sweepstakes and other forms of direct marketing. Beyond will perform a number of online marketing functions including media planning and buying, e-mail marketing and optimization. The deal also calls for Beyond to distribute ePrize services to other clients on its roster.

Italy's Privacy Authority moves to ban junk e-mail

Italy's Privacy Authority has banned junk e-mail, or "spam," labeling the practice, which is popular with some online marketers, a violation of the

recipient's privacy. Italy is believed to be the first major country to take such a step. "An e-mail address is private property. It's that simple," said Luciano Veroni, a civil-rights attorney and Internet advertising expert. The decision came after an Italian political party compiled a mailing list of 400,000 e-mail addresses by scanning Italian Web pages and news groups. Violators of the new ruling could be fined but specific penalties have not yet been determined.